When It's Real
A Novel
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4.5 • 396 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
"A quintessential beach read." - Kirkus Reviews
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Erin Watt
Under ordinary circumstances, Oakley Ford and Vaughn Bennett would never even cross paths.
There’s nothing ordinary about Oakley. This bad-boy pop star’s got Grammy awards, millions of fangirls and a reputation as a restless, too-charming troublemaker. But with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley needs to show the world he’s settling down—and who better to help him than Vaughn, a part-time waitress trying to help her family get by? The very definition of ordinary.
Posing as his girlfriend, Vaughn will overhaul Oakley’s image from troublemaker to serious artist. In return for enough money to put her brothers through college, she can endure outlandish Hollywood parties and carefully orchestrated Twitter exchanges. She’ll fool the paparazzi and the groupies. She might even start fooling herself a little.
Because when ordinary rules no longer apply, there’s no telling what your heart will do…
Also by Erin Watt:
- One Small Thing
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A teen reluctantly agrees to pose as the girlfriend to a Justin Bieber like pop star in order to rehab his bad boy image. Recently orphaned, 17-year-old Vaughn Bennett and her older sister, Paisley, are now responsible for taking care of their twin younger brothers; when the opportunity arises for Vaughn to be 19-year-old Oakley Ford's public girlfriend, the jaw-dropping salary is enough to persuade her to take the gig. Oakley initially seems like the stereotypical celebrity jerk Vaughn expects him to be, but she soon gets to know the kind, sensitive person underneath the persona. Though the premise isn't new, watching Vaughn and Oakley's relationship evolve from angry, bitter encounters to tender ones is a pleasure, and Watt (the pseudonymous author of the Royals series) maintains enticing romantic tension from start to finish. Told through Oakley and Vaughn's alternating points of view, this page-turning romance about an unlikely couple who overcomes the glare of the public eye, among other complications, is addictive summer reading. Ages 14 up.
Customer Reviews
A New Favorite
Ever have a book that you can’t stop thinking about when you aren’t reading it? I was forced due to “real life” to put down this book a few times but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and wanted to jump back in as soon as I possibly could.
This story focuses on Oakley, a famous musician and Vaughn, a super normal teen who enter into an agreement that will benefit them both. Oakley will get his image rehabbed while Vaughn will earn enough money to help her struggling family get their lives back together. Should be easy peasy right? Spoiler alert…of course it isn’t.
Somehow a book filled with almost every trope imaginable (I’m being dramatic here but there are a lot) manages to pull every single one off flawlessly. Now that right here is talent folks. I’m no stranger to a good celebrity/musician vs regular girl trope and I have to say that it is one of my favorites which is why I get so excited when I find a new book that does it so so well. I loved/hated Oakley just the right amount and I felt like Vaughn was a real portrayal of a “regular” girl and not blown unrealistically out of proportion.
If you’re looking for a fun light and fluffy, leave you with a smile on your face and your heart content, book then look no further! You’ve arrived. I will recommend this over and over again because somehow this unrealistic story really had me believing it might be true.
Couldn’t Put it Down!
I have read one other book by this author & it was “One Small Thing”, which is a book I love as well! I always “sample” a book before purchasing because why buy a book if the first few chapters don’t “hook” you in🤷🏻♀️? Well anyways, it passed my “sample read” test & I loved the love story & hope she builds on to the book either with Oakley & Vaughn OR Ty & Paisley! Ugh, I’m tempted to reread this book 🙄
When It’s Real is the perfect description of the Book.
I haven’t read Erin Watts’ other books, but this one was amazing! I found myself so immersed in the story I lost track of time. If you want to read a feel good ya romance novel, then this is definitely the book for you! I hope that’s Erin Watts writes more books like this. Maybe one with Paisely and Ty?!🤞😍😆